The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-06-25
AMUSEMENTS.

"On VI MI 1uIIluSeS play OF
Cromwell to state that it is one of the
strongest purely historical plays which
has been produced during the present
generation. The protracted hour when
the performance finished last evening
nearly half an hour after midnight
makes it impossible to enter into such a
disquisition of its merits as we should
like and as the play itself demands, but
we may say unquai6edly that in Crom-
well the author has produced a work
which will still further increase the
literary reputation he bears at home,
and, if he is successful III his plan to in
troduce it elsewhere, will induce q
strong respect for his genius abroad.
The play is most scholarly one
teeming with poetical Thoughts
and mastery, vigorous English, and
leading up 10 natural cllmaxes at the
ends of the acts, that ought to bring a
recall at each one. Some of the lines
it is not exaggeretion to say, are
worthy Of Shakespeare, the soliloquy
which closes act three; Now pales
the glory of a mighty deed" where
Cromwell has refused tc listen to the
supplications of Charles children, is
particularly mastery effort, and very
well was it rendered by Mr.. Lindsay,
whose method-too slow at times-wss
so]iloquy. The rally from his haunt
ing thoughts and the finish of the
speech with the fiery utterance that
when all men are summoned before the
final bar to answ for their deeds he
will be there ito answer this is mine"
made a grand conclusion. and Mr..
Lindsay was called before the curtain.
The author too, after this act, which
we think by far the best OF the play.
though it sparkles with gems through
out, was loudly called for, and ap-
peared modestly to bow his acknowl-
edgernent. We think that the act,
good as it is, could be strengthened
by the introduction of
tableau at the close, showing the execu
ton Of Charles with the headsman, The
block, and the troops and pOpulace IL
the distance. Another suggestion would
be to increase the music of the play,
especially that incidental to the military
entrances and exits, and the approaches
5Of the king. The play must also De cut
10 ensure its success. 1t must be short
ened fully an hour. With these aud Anew
other changes it is play that the first
tragedians Of the country need not feel
ashamed to take up. In passing it may
be observed that Frederick Warde would
be the man whose talents would nearest
ill the ideal. 1t gives the best glimpses
we have of a renowned character, and
one that, oddly enough, is strange to
the stage; the historical coloring, the
Puritanic atmosphere of the period, are
as faithfully portrayed as in SCOTS
@oodstock or the histories of the times.
r OF the presentation of Cromwell, we
can speak but briefly. Mr.. Lindsay was
acting, particularly in his soliloquies
and his death scene, he gave. 1t may be
said to be the best thing he has
attempted of late years, though as he
becomes accustomed to it he will doubt
less see that part OF it should be played
with less elaboration. He won some
heavy rounds of applause. Miss Hayne
made very pleasant impression, and
showed herself to be an actress of much
sweetness and emotional ability. Miss
Grouse, an actress well known in SOU
brette parts, was overta1ed as Lady
Fairfax. Mr.. Taylor, among the sup
port. deserves first mention for his quiet,
but forceful, rendition of Milton. Mr..
ByWater did better than we have seen
him do for a long time as Ireton, though
the part calls for very strong leading
man Sand in strong scenes Mr.. Bywater
rants. He should study better make
up, too-one less like the New York
Bowery habitue of to day. Mr.. Mckee,
as the comedy man OF the piece, was
thoroughly at home, and showed the
experienced professional. Mr.. McEwan
deserves credit for his delineation of
Charles. especially since he came up
from Provo and took it with but
one rehearsal. Mr.. Morris is
an amateur who gives strong promise;
the children, the Misses Lindsay and
Master Wilton, did capitally, and their
little parts were SO well filled, par
ticularly when they were pleading for
their fathers life, that many were
affected to tears; of the others but little
can be said; excepting Mr.. Scott and
Mr.. Felt, there is no telling how they
delivered their lines, since they were
hardly heard over the footlights MIR.
TuIlidge is a brilliant writer, but he
must know he cannot act; he and
several of the minor people should avoid
the stage as they would contaglon.
The grouping, costumipg, stage set
tings. ETC., were very good, Mr.. Lind
saw and the ladies particularly doing
some fine costuming. A little more life
in the supers and support at the eli
MAKES and a more hurried entrance
where an attempt is made in act two to
arrest Cromwell-one of the most dra-
matte bits in the play, by the way
would improve the whole. 1t was gen
orally remarked that while Cromwell
and one or two others showed advanc-
ing age, the majority, remained
Time.
With to-night's representation con-
siderable time ought to be saved, and
doubtless will be. We hope to see
good house, as the audience, though
quite large last evening, hardly repaid
the outIay that has been made on the
piece. It ought to do well in the coun,,
try, and by the time it goes on the road
will no doubt be in smooth moving
order.